1970s
Throughout the 1970s, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander activism focused on self-determination. These artefacts show the success of new targeted programs, including ABSTUDY and the Community Development Employment Program, and the continued fight for equal access to Unemployment Benefit.
1970
Autobiography challenges stereotypes about Aboriginal people
In the absence of government help, Aboriginal people often relied on their communities for support. Shirley Smith told her story of becoming an unofficial welfare worker while challenging stereotypes about those who got government payments.
Even though white people say Blacks love to live on the social services, they don’t. The little bit of money might keep body and soul together between jobs but a person can’t plan their lives on the soco [social welfare] …
Shirley Smith in MumShirl, 1981, p 48
Even though white people say Blacks love to live on the social services, they don’t. The little bit of money might keep body and soul together between jobs but a person can’t plan their lives on the soco [social welfare] …
Shirley Smith in MumShirl, 1981, p 48
1970
Principal ensures students get payments
Getting access to payments often relied on direct advocacy. Letters from the principal of an Aboriginal co-operative school provide examples.
... the men of the Yarrabah community who are involved in the Aboriginal Co-operative Summer School will not have their Social Security payments disturbed during their absence from Yarrabah.
Bill Hayden, Minister for Social Security, 1973
... the men of the Yarrabah community who are involved in the Aboriginal Co-operative Summer School will not have their Social Security payments disturbed during their absence from Yarrabah.
Bill Hayden, Minister for Social Security, 1973
1970
Government introduces ABSTUDY and ABSEG
After introducing payments for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, the government ran ads in magazines for Aboriginal audiences.
The scheme, to be known as the Aboriginal Secondary Grants Scheme, forms part of the Government’s programme for Aboriginal advancement. Its purpose is to assist Aboriginal students who are likely to benefit from further secondary school studies …
Kunmanggur, January 1970, p 5
The scheme, to be known as the Aboriginal Secondary Grants Scheme, forms part of the Government’s programme for Aboriginal advancement. Its purpose is to assist Aboriginal students who are likely to benefit from further secondary school studies …
Kunmanggur, January 1970, p 5
1971
Article marks ABSTUDY successes
An article about a new Aboriginal study grant profiled 3 of its early success stories – people who would go on to be well-known public figures over the decades ahead.
The Aboriginal Study Grants Scheme began in 1969, and some very encouraging success stories of students receiving grants are now emerging.
Kunmanggur, May 1971, p 17
The Aboriginal Study Grants Scheme began in 1969, and some very encouraging success stories of students receiving grants are now emerging.
Kunmanggur, May 1971, p 17
1972
Workers involved in walk-off denied payments
Aboriginal workers walked off the Victoria River Downs cattle station in 1972 over pay and working conditions. The government was hesitant to pay Unemployment Benefit even though they passed the work test.
... the Minister for Social Services had announced that unemployment benefit was to be paid to some Aborigines living at Wattie Creek. As far as we know, benefit has not yet been paid.
PEF Kirby, Department of Labour and National Service, July 1972
... the Minister for Social Services had announced that unemployment benefit was to be paid to some Aborigines living at Wattie Creek. As far as we know, benefit has not yet been paid.
PEF Kirby, Department of Labour and National Service, July 1972
1973
Government discusses impacts of payments on Aboriginal people
In response to questions about whether the government should further control payments for Aboriginal people, the Minister for Social Security discussed his concerns about the impacts payments were having, particularly on remote Aboriginal communities.
I expressed some scepticism ... about the effects of the payments of these benefits to Aborigines ... there is a tendency for these to be exaggerated and dramatised for public effect
Bill Hayden, Minister for Social Security, 1973, p 2407
I expressed some scepticism ... about the effects of the payments of these benefits to Aborigines ... there is a tendency for these to be exaggerated and dramatised for public effect
Bill Hayden, Minister for Social Security, 1973, p 2407
1973
DSS questioned about payments to Aboriginal people
The Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs questioned a high-level DSS official in 1973 and 1975. They touched on a range of issues relevant to Aboriginal people receiving payments.
Now that those exclusions have gone we do not have this question on the claim form ... Consequently, we do not know how many people are receiving pensions or unemployment benefit who are Aborigines.
Irwin Prowse, DSS, 1973, p 949
Now that those exclusions have gone we do not have this question on the claim form ... Consequently, we do not know how many people are receiving pensions or unemployment benefit who are Aborigines.
Irwin Prowse, DSS, 1973, p 949
1973
DSS asked to translate information
In a series of letters, the Department of Aboriginal Affairs asked the Department of Social Security to publish information about government payments in language.
... we will be happy to co-operate in any way we can to ensure that the Aboriginal people know and understand their Social Security entitlements.
LJ Daniels, Department of Social Security, 1973, p 9
... we will be happy to co-operate in any way we can to ensure that the Aboriginal people know and understand their Social Security entitlements.
LJ Daniels, Department of Social Security, 1973, p 9
1973
Activists use payments for change
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people used government payments to gain further rights and freedoms. Activist Joyce Clague’s story reveals how payments became linked to land rights.
You know, you fellas can hurry this on, you know ... if you save 2 dollars at a time out of your pension, out of the child endowment, and if you work you give a little bit more because – and you fellas’ll have this soon.
Joyce Clague in oral history, 1996
You know, you fellas can hurry this on, you know ... if you save 2 dollars at a time out of your pension, out of the child endowment, and if you work you give a little bit more because – and you fellas’ll have this soon.
Joyce Clague in oral history, 1996
1974
Report shows changing views of direct payments
A 1974 report about the impacts of bauxite mining on the Yirrkala community in Arnhem Land recommended against direct government payments for the community, reflecting a change from advice in a 1963 report.
At Yirrkala where labour is available but not forthcoming, unemployment benefits, in the Committee’s opinion, should only be paid to people who meet the same criteria as apply to the rest of the Australian community.
Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs, 1974, p 49
At Yirrkala where labour is available but not forthcoming, unemployment benefits, in the Committee’s opinion, should only be paid to people who meet the same criteria as apply to the rest of the Australian community.
Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs, 1974, p 49
1974
Public servant shares wide-ranging impacts of discrimination
At the 2015 Mabo Oration, Dr Dawn Casey discussed the discrimination her family faced when seeking a government payment in the 1970s and her own experiences of discrimination throughout her career in the Australian Public Service.
By far my most difficult learning experience was to do with my father ... it did ... confirm my unconscious resolve that government policies and systems needed to change
Dawn Casey, 2015, p 12
By far my most difficult learning experience was to do with my father ... it did ... confirm my unconscious resolve that government policies and systems needed to change
Dawn Casey, 2015, p 12
1975
Report looks at impacts of payments on Aboriginal families
Researchers interviewed Aboriginal families in Adelaide about their housing, income, government payments and work as part of a wider study into poverty in Australia.
The present system of social security encourages wives in poor families to leave their husbands and it supports the conditions which prevent Aboriginal men from marrying. Although a deserted wives’ pension is barely adequate, it is secure and reliable.
Fay Gale and Joan Binnion in Poverty among Aboriginal families in Adelaide, 1975, p 5
The present system of social security encourages wives in poor families to leave their husbands and it supports the conditions which prevent Aboriginal men from marrying. Although a deserted wives’ pension is barely adequate, it is secure and reliable.
Fay Gale and Joan Binnion in Poverty among Aboriginal families in Adelaide, 1975, p 5
1976
Report recommends Community Development and Employment Program
To address high unemployment rates, the government looked into ways to increase employment in Aboriginal communities. They considered introducing community-based work programs, but also looked into ways to make it harder to get Unemployment Benefit.
The Department of Social Security is not equipped to deal with Aboriginal welfare, nor has that been its function; it does not have first hand knowledge of the impact of the payment of unemployment benefit on Aboriginals living as communities.
Interdepartmental Working Party on Aboriginal Employment, 1976, p 29
The Department of Social Security is not equipped to deal with Aboriginal welfare, nor has that been its function; it does not have first hand knowledge of the impact of the payment of unemployment benefit on Aboriginals living as communities.
Interdepartmental Working Party on Aboriginal Employment, 1976, p 29
1977
Autobiography details one man’s pension experience
Social services impacted people in different ways. This excerpt from Jimmie Barker’s autobiography details his experience of having to stop work and beginning to get the pension.
It was only six weeks after I left the hospital that my first pension cheque arrived, and it has been coming regularly ever since. It is not very much, but it is much more money than I had in my early days. It is a great help to me.
Jimmie Barker, 1977, p 170
It was only six weeks after I left the hospital that my first pension cheque arrived, and it has been coming regularly ever since. It is not very much, but it is much more money than I had in my early days. It is a great help to me.
Jimmie Barker, 1977, p 170
1977
Government criticised for Unemployment Benefit rules
During discussions in the House of Representatives, Opposition Leader Gough Whitlam criticised the government of the day over proposed changes to procedures affecting Aboriginal people's access to Unemployment Benefit.
The document shows that where claimants are not prepared to work away from the mission or settlement where they have always lived, they should be regarded as unavailable for work. This is a cruel, legalistic and discriminatory decision … Aboriginals often have a traditional association with the land where such missions and settlements are established.
Gough Whitlam, Leader of the Opposition, 1977, p 1110
The document shows that where claimants are not prepared to work away from the mission or settlement where they have always lived, they should be regarded as unavailable for work. This is a cruel, legalistic and discriminatory decision … Aboriginals often have a traditional association with the land where such missions and settlements are established.
Gough Whitlam, Leader of the Opposition, 1977, p 1110
1977
Government introduces CDEP
The Fraser Government introduced the Community Development Employment Program in 1977 to address Aboriginal unemployment and reduce the number of people applying for Unemployment Benefit.
... are such people still entitled to unemployment benefit? ... If they are not, it appears to me to be a denial of rights to Aboriginals … I think it would be a big step backwards as it would mean that we would be creating discrimination ...
Laurie Wallis MP, October 1977, p 1938
... are such people still entitled to unemployment benefit? ... If they are not, it appears to me to be a denial of rights to Aboriginals … I think it would be a big step backwards as it would mean that we would be creating discrimination ...
Laurie Wallis MP, October 1977, p 1938
1979
Researcher highlights complex issues in remote servicing
In a briefing to public servants, Dr Young discussed difficulties faced by remote Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory. She highlighted DSS servicing gaps that she believed worsened the situation.
Dr Young feels that the reasons why so many men have neither work nor receive unemployment benefits are complex. Part of the problem lies with the Department of Social Security. There are poor communications between departmental officers and would-be recipients.
DAA and DSS, 1979, p 5
Dr Young feels that the reasons why so many men have neither work nor receive unemployment benefits are complex. Part of the problem lies with the Department of Social Security. There are poor communications between departmental officers and would-be recipients.
DAA and DSS, 1979, p 5
1979
ABSTUDY ads use Aboriginal artwork
To better reach Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander audiences, the government started using Aboriginal artwork on their advertisements.
The Aboriginal Study Grants Scheme (ABSTUDY) helps Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders who have left school and want to study ...
Department of Education ABSTUDY brochure, July 1979
The Aboriginal Study Grants Scheme (ABSTUDY) helps Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders who have left school and want to study ...
Department of Education ABSTUDY brochure, July 1979